PORTLAOISE is the State's most expensive prison it cost £104,268 for each offender last year. Limerick Prison was the second costliest at £56,323, according to statistics released by the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, in a written reply to Mr Hugh Byrne (FF, Wexford). She said the average cost per prisoner in the system was £46,500 last year. The least expensive prison was Loughan House where it cost £33,640 for each offender.

In a written reply to Mr Sean Haughey (FF, Dublin North Central) the Minister said provisional figures showed that 10,598 people were sent to prison last year compared to 9,844 in 1995 and 10,252 in 1994. To date this year, 3,126 people have been sent to prison.